2004 Pontiac Vibe/Matrix, AWD not working, snow or is it?

[kknight2k]

Its working just fine. The AWD in a Vibe has power only going to the front wheels unless it detects the wheels slipping. Then, the rear differential engages and pushes the car. It isn't symmetrical AWD. Read the owners manual, and it'll say pretty much the same thing.

[Grumb9333]

You are on mags (rim) so you are on Summer Tires... Don't ask why.it doesn't work... take some winter tires and try...

[kevintomb]

its not working

[XenomorphLV426]

Get a real AWD car, like a Subaru.

[halflife103]

@XenomorphLV426 Why?. What makes you think he's not perfectly content with this car.

[alextothehbro]

Looks like it's working just fine to me. Perhaps not the fastest AWD system to respond but it is definitely kicking in, in my opinion. Love Pontiac =]

[moniack]

My wife has an '04 AWD, and her's suffered a failure of the viscous coupling at 50K miles. In her case it caused the front and rear axles to permanently lock up which also resulted in the rear diff failing. GM fixed it under a good will gesture thank goodness- it was a couple grand. I haven't driven her car much in the snow, but with snow tires it has outstanding traction comparable to my old A4. You can also damage the coupling if you get stuck and then it will no longer lock.

[XbobRleS]

i'm not sure how to explain it but, it's usually always fwd until it feels not a lot of traction, then it kicks into awd.

[OmniDimensional01]

I drive a 2003 AWD Vibe and I have no problem getting it to drift in the snow and ice, the rear wheels take hardly a second to engage and you can feel it kick in.It feels fantastic actually, I love my little vibe, its a small beast.

[pretzel59]

I have over 500000 km on my 2004 vibe , I love it !

I only wish the awd model came in a 5 speed

[Rlnthndr]

its working, Its just a slow system. IT only sends power to the rear when it senses your front wheels slipping.

[leadnsteel]

usually if it was an awd it would say awd on the back but it looks like it does not. That is an fwd vibe

[MJrad]

MJrad

SnowDogRedSectorEh. Thanks for getting back to me. I have a 2005 Vibe AWD as well which I really like. I have 157,000 km on it and haven't had any problems with it yet. How many clicks do you have on your Vibe? What do you get for mileage with your Vibe on the highway if you are driving at 60 mph? Thanks for getting back to me.

[MJrad]

What year is this AWD Vibe? Until 2006, the AWD sent power back to the rear wheels using a viscous coupling. Pontiac didn't offer the AWD for 2007+2008. When the Vibe was redesigned for 2009, AWD was again offered as an option. Pontiac said the AWD system was improved and power to rear wheels was engaged electronically(clutch?). Does anybody know how the 2 systems compare to each other. Comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[SparkDischarge]

@MJrad Exactly right.

Viscous coupling clutches are old tech.

A computer controlled clutch pack is the modern equivalent.

[NoxNoctisUmbra]

i would return the car demanding every single penny.. buying a AWD car should work in SNOW.. why not get a SUBARU? you can get a very nice outback for 20k

[SnowDogRedSectorEh]

well my wife bought the vibe and I tested the AWD and it definately works.

see watch?v=kCKAFmrzFbM

[qutiek32]

If that vibe were awd it would have "awd" badging on the left rear corner of the car on the lift gate . This car doesnt its front wheel drive only not all vibes are awd. Your wheels are going to spin.

[SnowDogRedSectorEh]

I think it is AWD

If you pause between 4:12 & 4;13 you can see the badge,

see w w w(dot)canadiandriver(dot)com/a­rticles/ly/images/03vibe_6.jpg

The 03 & 04's badge spelled out 'all wheel drive" and the newer ones just say 'AWD'.

Nonetheless, I never saw a rear wheel spin in this video and ours (05) spins the rears easily.

[suprakilzz26]

no its working just that this car has a shitty awd system no offense

[fergiman]

its not working, there may be a button for it? or maybe you should have got a toyota matrix instead :P

[menschmaschine02]

toyota matrix = pontiac vibe.. same engine

[fergiman]

yup its the same engine, prizm, its in the geo cars too.. the toyota just has a better quality and overall design of the entire vehicle.

[VivaLaBamEpisodes]

My 06 Vibe AWD will spin the back with no problem....

[MJrad]

Does anybody have a video showing a AWD Vibe and how the rear tires will spin if it is in deep snow? If you do can you please post it on YouTube. Thanks!

[guitarplayrmikeo]

it's probably fwd based and awd when u need it

[brock91571]

Well, as you can see it does move around in the snow fine, but not as well as the 90 Subaru Legacy we had, but much better then our 07 Sentra. The Vibe also has a limited slip front differential, so power goes to both front wheels. Most front wheel drive cars, including the front wheel drive Vibe,will just spin one front wheel and not move. It is better than some, but it is no Subaru. The utility of this car is awesome and it is actually fun to drive, It is a neat little car.